Construction / Basic Carpentry Skills 

Construction is offered to groups of pupils between Year 8 through to Year 11.  Pupils gain an introduction to carpentry and basic brickwork where they learn to work safely and identify tools to construct items like picture frames, mini tables, and stools, using different techniques and various carpentry joints. There are also opportunities for pupils to engage in more advanced carpentry work. 

Although there are high expectations for our pupils, engagement is taken at their pace. Right from the start, pupils are taught that it is ok to make mistakes and that skills are built over time with practice.  

The subject is delivered in such a way that pupils develop patience, perseverance and understand the contribution of effort. Pupils are encouraged to support and respect each other and over time, creativity and problem-solving skills are enhanced through peer learning.

Urban Art / Graffiti  

Jason Baptiste teaches this course and is a successful and inspiring spray paint artist, who has created bespoke works of art for businesses and schools. He teaches pupils about the history, sub-culture of graffiti and the evolution of what it has become today. He highlights the difference between vandalism, graffiti and street art. Jason is a positive role model, illustrating to pupils how a career can be built, in the field of design and commissioning, but also how the process can be collaborative and therapeutic.  

Using the starting point of key words like ‘hope’ and ‘help’ pupils experiment and create their artwork, whilst discussing what these words mean to them, providing opportunities to explore and understand the world through a different lens. Pupils grow to appreciate the skills required to create urban art by using mixed media. They are also encouraged to adopt a mindset where they can think freely, ‘out of the box’ and let their artwork tell a story.